HL: BIO Animal Studies

General

100

What animals are often used for psychological research?

rats and mice

200

Can you use 1 animal study and 1 human study for an exam question on the value of animal models?

YES

but not for ethics - this has to be 2 animal studies

300

How many different exam questions could there be on the HL extension topic for the biological approach?

8

400

define the term animal model

the use of a non-human animal to study a psychological or psychopathological process that is similar to a human condition.

500

What is the term used for mice that have a single gene changed or removed.

Transgenic mice

Value of animals

100

What are the 2 research methods often used with animals?

Experiments and case studies

200

What human research could be used when discussing the value of animal research on hormones and/pheromones?

Antonova

300

Rats and humans share about 30% of the same genes.

True or False

FALSE

In 2002, geneticists completed the mapping of the rat genome.  Researchers found that rats and humans each have about 30.000 genes – only 300 are unique to either organism.  That means that the genes of the two species are 99% similar.

400

What are the 2 types of animal models used in Psychological research?

• Animal models of disease. This is when a physical or psychological illness is reproduced in an animal.
• Animal models of behaviour. This is when non-pathological behaviours are studied in animals with the goal of transferring the findings to other humans.

500

Why are animals used to study human behaviour?

Provide 3 different reasons

• Procedures may be carried out – such as isolation and surgery – that would be unethical on humans.
• The lifespan of an animal is significantly shorter than a human lifespan, so the effects of a variable – such as stress – can be studied over the course of a full lifetime and over several generations.
• The behaviour can be studied under controlled conditions in a way that would be impossible with humans.
• They are similar to us both genetically and physiologically - and hence good for drug testing.

Ethical considerations

100

According to the APA, what are the three ethical R’s of animal research?

Reduction

Refinement

Replacement

200

Does an ethics committee need to be consulted before animal research takes place?

YES

300

Name 3 different alternatives to animal research

In vitro

computer models

human research

400

In evaluating the cost benefit of an experiment, one must consider the following...

• the moral value of a human being vs. a non-human animal
• the number of human beings who would benefit from the study
• the effect on humans if the study is not conducted 
• the number of animals suffering in the experiment the harm done to the animals

500

Explain what is meant by reduction, refinement and replacement

Reducing the number of animals used in experiments by:

• Improving experimental techniques
• Improving techniques of data analysis
• Sharing information with other researchers

Refining the experiment or the way the animals are cared for so as to reduce their suffering by;

• Using less invasive techniques
• Better medical care
• Better living and breeding conditions

Replacing experiments on animals with alternative techniques, such as:

• Experimenting on cell cultures instead of on whole animals
• Using computer models
• Studying more human volunteers

Research Evidence

100

Rogers & Kesner studied the effect of this neurotransmitter on the transfer of memory from STM to LTM

Acetylcholine

200

What was the aim of Rosenzweig, Bennett and Diamond (1972)?

Wanted to see if changing the level of stimuli in the environment would result in physical changes in the brain.

300

Meaney investigated what hormone?

glucocorticoids (stress hormone)

400

Which 2 research studies could be used for a question on the ethical surrounding animal research into hormones and pheromones?

Meaney (glucocorticoids)

Albert et al (testosterone)

500

What did Cases et al find in their research on genes and aggression?

When human males lack MAOA and demonstrate aggressive behaviour, the behaviour cannot be attributed to social factors. The MAOA deficiency is a predisposition toward aggressive behaviour which may be expressed through interaction with social and environmental factors.